A Christmas Dialogue Continues

Consider Classic as the next installment of Martina McBride’s ongoing dialogue with Christmas, and a fairly scintillating one at that. It earns its title.
by David McGee
 

 
 

A Half-Century+ of Classic Animated ‘Rudolph’

On Dec. 6, 1964 NBC premiered an animated version of RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER with BURL IVES as host. It drew a 50 share and was an instant holiday classic. From a 50 share to 50+ years as a holiday staple, we pay tribute...
by David McGee
 

 

 

More Than Holly Leaves and Christmas Trees

TOM MASON's third Yuletide album, UNDER A MISTLETOE SKY, offers a fine option with which to make Christmas merry and bright, in a year when we really need it to be so…
by David McGee
 

 
 

The Holly & The Ivy: A Small Gem

A different kind of Christmas movie, no less moving for the nuanced role Christmas actually plays in the story. DVD now available.
by David McGee
 

 

 

I Meet Thomas Burke and H.G. Wells

In his 1922 travel memoir My Trip Abroad, CHARLIE CHAPLIN recalls his nerve wracking introduction to author THOMAS BURKE and a more sublime encounter with H.G. WELLS.
by David McGee
 

 
 

Sun Unleashes Spectacular Solar Eruption

Documenting a spectacular solar eruption and the Hubble Telescope's sighting of the remains of a star gone supernova. There's life out there.
by David McGee
 

 

 

Two Worlds Under One Sun

On THE SUN OF BOTH WORLDS: TRADITIONAL TURKISH SUFI MUSIC, Turkey's DÜ-ŞEMS ENSEMBLE demonstrates the musical interaction between its homeland and its neighbors. A review and band profile ensue.
by David McGee
 

 
 

A Timeless Work of Textural Electronic Beauty

Inspired by the natural beauty of his New Zealand homeland, composer RUDY ADRIAN's WOODLANDS offers a moving ambient impression of the wild forests and planted parks of Dunedin.
by David McGee
 

 

 

An Imaginative Exploration of The Sound-World of The Early Celtic Church

Music composer ROBERT HUGILL's review leads this appraisal of a fascinating, haunting new album exploring the sound of the early Celtic church.
by David McGee
 

 
 

‘Song is Central to the Irish Imagination’

Their 2016 debut album was an international hit, and the CHORAL SCHOLARS OF UNIVERSITY COLLEGE DUBLIN are back with another stellar rendering of Irish song in PERPETUAL TWILIGHT
by David McGee
 

 

 

Winter in Verse

Shakespeare, Keats, Robert Burns, Thomas Campion and Robert Frost reflect on the modds of winter. Plus seasonal-oriented cartoons starring Mickey Mouse and friends and Woody Woodpecker. Bing Crosby makes an appearance too.
by David McGee
 

 
 

A Day With Robert Schumann

IN this month's PLEASURES OF MUSIC, an 1884 report by May Byron on A DAY WITH ROBERT SCHUMANN. In this account, the author chronicles a day spent with the arch-Romantic composer, which includes some vivid scenes with Schumann's...
by David McGee